A Georgian estate should be treated as one file of assets and liabilities. Article 1424 of the Civil Code provides a six-month period from opening of the estate for acceptance; acceptance may occur through a notarial declaration or legally recognised factual possession. Delay, will validity, intestate order, compulsory shares, asset ownership and debt disputes require individual legal and evidential analysis.
1. The first 30 days: what to identify
Obtain the death record, search for a will, build the complete kinship chain and list assets and liabilities. Check real estate, company shares, accounts, vehicles, receivables, loans, mortgages, tax and pending disputes.
Do not rely only on family accounts. Obtain official records, while recognising that one extract may not reveal every historic or unregistered interest. Preserve estate property lawfully and do not dispose of it without authority.
2. The six-month acceptance period
The general period is six months from opening of the estate. Acceptance may be shown by a declaration to a notary or factual possession under the statutory conditions. Factual possession of part may have consequences for the whole estate.
After expiry, a court may extend time for a valid reason; legislation also contemplates a route based on agreement of accepting heirs. Neither is automatic—reason, knowledge, conduct and the position of other heirs require proof.
3. Wills and intestate succession
Where a will exists, verify form, latest version, testamentary capacity and free intention, revocation or amendment, and the property covered. Intestate order applies where no will exists or the will does not dispose of the whole estate.
The testamentary outcome may engage protected compulsory shares or property that actually belonged to another person. Naming a person does not end the analysis; authenticity, asset origin and heir status must be reviewed together.
4. Common inheritance disputes
Common disputes concern will validity, missed time, undisclosed heirs, contested kinship, factual acceptance, coerced renunciation, lifetime transfers, marital property, compulsory shares and estate debt.
Before proceedings, define the remedy: recognition as heir, invalidity of a will, extension of time, determination of shares, return of property, registry correction or partition. Different remedies require different parties and evidence.
5. Assets, debt and co-ownership
Inherited assets are not isolated from liabilities. Obtain loan, mortgage, tax, utility and creditor records. Before accepting or renouncing, assess net estate value and the applicable liability regime.
Multiple heirs often become co-owners. Use, expenses, income, buy-out, division in kind or sale must be addressed. Unilateral exclusive use or concealed income may create further claims.
6. Foreign or overseas heirs
An heir abroad may act through a compliant power of attorney, but powers to apply, renounce, settle, litigate and register should be express. Foreign civil-status records typically require appropriate authentication and Georgian translation.
Where assets or heirs span countries, separately assess Georgian jurisdiction, applicable law, foreign-will form and recognition. A certificate from one country does not automatically control assets elsewhere.
7. Evidence and litigation strategy
Create a chronology before and after death: acquisition, family status, will, health, declaration, possession, other heir conduct and registration. Lawfully obtain originals, notarial records, medical material, witnesses, registry and financial movements.
Consider interim relief where sale or registry change is genuinely threatened. Settlement can be valuable for indivisible assets or ongoing family management, but the agreement must be registrable and enforceable.
8. Inheritance certificate and final registration
Completion of the notarial stage does not necessarily transfer every registered asset automatically. Real estate, company shares, vehicles and other registered rights require the relevant registry change.
Submit the appropriate inheritance instrument, identity or representation records and translations. After registration, obtain a fresh extract and verify share, cadastral code, mortgage, seizure and other restrictions.
Important noteThis material is general information, not personalised legal advice. Recheck current law, official practice, fees and deadlines against your facts before acting.